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What's the Best Credit Card for a Large Purchase?

5 min read

Published March 6, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

The best credit card for a large purchase depends on your priorities.
Some credit cards have introductory offers that could help you save money on interest or earn bonus rewards.
A large purchase could impact your credit mix, new credit, and credit utilization ratio.

If you have a big purchase coming up—like a family vacation or a new computer—you may want to consider whether a new credit card could add value to that purchase or make it easier to manage. Some credit cards could help you make the most out of a large transaction with bonus rewards, low APR, or other perks. Read on to learn what features to look out for in a credit card for a large purchase.

Choosing a credit card for a big purchase

Some credit cards are better for certain types of major purchases than others. Before you begin comparing cards, you might want to consider your priorities and how you plan to manage the cost of your purchase. If you intend to break up the expense over several months, you might want a card that will help you save on interest. On the other hand, if you can repay your balance quickly, you might want a card that will maximize your rewards. Consider whether the following card features line up with your priorities.

Low or 0% intro APR for large purchases

A credit card company may offer APRs below the standard rate to new cardmembers for an introductory period after their account opening. A credit card with a low introductory APR could relieve some of the pressure to pay off your purchase right away. You may even qualify for 0% APR.

If your card issuer offers a 0% introductory rate for 12 months, any balance you carry within that timeframe won’t accrue interest. However, you have to repay your balance in full before the promotional period ends. Any balance that remains typically accrues interest at the standard rate.

A Discover^® credit card with a low introductory APR could help you repay a large purchase over time while keeping the interest you owe under control. That way, you can make the most of the rewards you earn.

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A sign-up bonus or offer for new cardmembers

If your goal is to maximize your rewards with your big purchase, you might want to use a credit card with a sign-up bonus. A credit card issuer may offer you a boost, like extra cash back, for using your card after opening a new account. In most cases, however, you have to do more than just sign up to reap the rewards of a sign-up bonus.

Many card issuers require you to earn your sign-up bonus by hitting a specific spending minimum on your card within a certain time frame. For example, you might have to spend $500 within three months of your account opening to receive bonus rewards.

These bonus offers are usually all-or-nothing; if you don’t meet the minimum spending quota in time, you don’t receive any bonus. Some people may find the requirements difficult to meet. However, one expensive purchase could make a major dent in your minimum spending requirement.

New Discover Cardmembers don’t need to reach a spending minimum to earn more cash back with our Cashback Match. Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.¹

Is the credit card for a large travel purchase?

Whether you’re planning a beach vacation on the coast or a backpacking trip in Europe, travel expenses add up. If you’re planning to splurge on a flight or hotel, you might consider a travel rewards card. Travel cards often offer bonus rewards for travel-related purchases. They may also come with perks, like hotel upgrades or priority boarding at the airport.

If you’re traveling abroad, make sure you choose a card without foreign transaction fees. That way, you can use your card freely as you need it without racking up extra costs.

How a large purchase on a credit card can impact your credit score

While a credit card could be a helpful tool for making pricey purchases and earning rewards, it’s important to understand both the positive and harmful effects to your credit score.

Credit mix

If you don’t already have a credit card, opening a new account could improve your credit mix. According to the FICO^® Credit Score, 10% of your credit score depends on your credit mix. ² That means if you’re close to a higher score, a new card has the potential to give you the boost you need in some circumstances.

New credit

Typically, when you apply for a new card, your issuer pulls your credit report in what’s called a “hard credit check”. Hard credit checks may temporarily bring down your score. As you use your new card responsibly, you can typically offset the negative effect. Applying for multiple cards within a short time frame, however, may do more lasting damage.

Did you know?

You could earn rewards every time you shop with Discover on any small or large eligible purchase. The best fit for you may align with the places you usually shop.

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Credit utilization ratio

Perhaps the most important factor to keep in mind any time you’re charging a significant amount on your credit card is your credit utilization ratio. Your credit utilization ratio represents the total portion of your available credit that’s currently in use and accounts for about 30% of your FICO^® Score.

A new credit card increases your available credit by your new credit limit. However, an expensive purchase could take up a big chunk of your available credit, especially if you have a relatively low credit limit. Ideally, you should keep your credit utilization below 30%. By repaying your balance in full each month, you could avoid hurting your credit utilization ratio.

Whether you want to minimize your interest or maximize your rewards, the right credit card for a big purchase comes down to your priorities. No matter what option you choose, repaying your balance as soon as possible could help you get the most value.

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